Organic Dog food

6 Best Organic Dog Food in 2024: A Cleaner Diet for Your Precious Pup!

The pet food sector has consistently aimed to create the best quality pet foods for quite some time. Over the years, these pet food companies have continuously surpassed their previous achievements by introducing new recipes and formulations. Currently, they are also exploring the production of dog foods made with sustainably sourced ingredients and are keen on offering the finest organic dog food options. However, the question arises: What do we truly understand about organic foods?

Organic Food vs Natural Food: What’s Their Difference?

organic food vs natural food: what’s their difference?
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These terms are often misunderstood and used interchangeably, but they are two very different terms.

Organic foods are grown or raised without artificial or synthetic preservatives and chemical substances like pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, or growth hormones.

While natural food undergoes minimal processing and with fewer artificial preservatives or unnatural or processed ingredients.

Important Note: All organic ingredients are natural, but not all natural ingredients are organic.

Health Benefits of Organic Dog Food

health benefits of organic dog food
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Other than the overall health improvements and specific sensitivities we mentioned above, here are some other benefits of organic dog food.

  • Lessens risk for developing skin and food allergies. Artificial, synthetic, and chemical additives are common causes of allergies in dogs. Since organic food lacks this certain aspect, it can help reduce your dog’s chances of developing skin allergies or skin conditions.
  • Improve your dog’s quality of life. Aside from removing ingredients that are harmful or have no nutritional value, organic dog food is also good for promoting optimal health for your dog, especially with the ones that offer complete and balanced nutrition. Organic pet foods have more vitamins and minerals, promoting a healthier lifestyle for your dog with a greater chance of prolonging their lifespan as well.
  • Crafted without animal by-products. Speaking of removing ingredients that are harmful or has no nutritional value, dog foods that are organic have zero presence of animal by-products. Animal by-products are considered low-quality ingredients because these are composed of meat leftovers sourced from slaughterhouses. Removing this means your dog is getting only dog foods with ethically-sourced and high-quality ingredients.
  • Easier and healthier digestion. Organic foods support digestive health with artificial, synthetic, and chemical substances out of the picture. Because of its proteins and grains, organic pet foods mainly include easily digestible and highly palatable ingredients, making it ideal for your pup’s digestive health.

If an organic diet is introduced early on in your dog’s life, many serious conditions can be avoided. This is because many canine health conditions result from inadequate nutrition or exposure to dangerous and harmful ingredients.

Our team has spent hours researching products to find the best organic food for your dogs, read our in-depth reviews below. Learn more about our 10 point inspection checklist.

Best Organic Dog Foods

1. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe, Dehydrated Dog Food, is organic and contains free-range chicken and whole grain as its first ingredient. This dehydrated dog food gives your fur baby maximum nutrition and promotes easier digestion. Just make sure you keep enough water in your pupper’s bowl!

It’s organic, natural, and crafted with human-grade and whole-food ingredients; the best organic dog food for puppies and adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. It has no by-products, preservatives, or GMO ingredients. All ingredients are processed in a human-grade processing facility in the USA. The ingredients in this recipe are on par with human ones but are only made for dog consumption.

Why We Like It – The Honest Kitchen guarantees premium-quality dog food with high-quality ingredients that meet the AAFCO nutrition standards. Pet owners and their beloved fur babies love this dehydrated organic dog food with complete and balanced nutrition. Give your pooch the healthier choice of organic dog foods now!

Nutrition Information:

Caloric Content4270 kcal/kg, 485 kcal/cup
Crude Protein24.5% min
Crude Fat14.0% min
Crude Fiber4.0% max
Moisture8.0% max
Taurine0.15%

Pros:

+ 100% human-grade
+ Crafted with real whole-food ingredients
+ Complete and balanced nutrition
+ Serve as a meal or topper
+ Gently dehydrated to boost flavor, retain nutrients, and easily digest
+ No by-products, preservatives, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat, or soy

Cons:

– High protein and fat content may not be suitable for all dogs
– Not for picky eaters

2. Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Feed your dog a 100% complete and balanced meal with Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. It contains real organic chicken as the number one ingredient that makes up 32% of the protein! It also has a nutrient-packed superfood blend including organic sweet potatoes, organic blueberries, and organic flaxseed to give your pup the antioxidants it needs to thrive healthily.

Cooked in the USA, this organic and grain-free blend is meant for dogs of all breed sizes. Certified by Oregon Tilth, an American non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating organic food and farming, Organix really looks out for your dog’s best interest. Added benefit includes Omega fatty acids to promote healthier skin and coat for your doggo.

Why We Like It – Organix focuses on all-around nutrition with their USDA-certified organic chicken and sweet potato recipe. The ingredients provide your dog with protein, fiber, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. A 100% complete and balanced nutrition that your pooch needs without unnecessary fillers or artificial ingredients.

Nutrition Information:

Caloric Content3,659 kcal/kg, 387 kcal/cup
Crude Protein26.0% min
Crude Fat15.0% min
Crude Fiber3.5% max
Moisture11.0% max
Taurine0.12% min
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.4% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids3.0% min
Glucosamine800 mg/kg min
Chondroitin Sulfate800 mg/kg min

Pros:

+ USDA-certified organic
+ Made with real chicken and sweet potatoes
+ With prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion
+ Includes nutrient-packed superfood blend
+ Cooked in the USA and made without corn, wheat, or soy
+ No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors

Cons:

– Not suitable for dogs with digestive issues
– No velcro seal

3. Purina Beyond Organic High Protein Dry Dog Food

Purina Beyond Organic High Protein Dry Dog Food

Give your dog this wholesome and premium dog food, and it’s guaranteed they’ll love it! Purina Beyond Organic Chicken, Egg & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food uses organic ingredients starting with free-range chicken raised without antibiotics as its top ingredient. This organic chicken, egg, and sweet potato recipe is packed with antioxidants to support overall health.

If you want complete and balanced nutrition that promotes lean muscles for your pupper, this Purina Beyond High-Protein Recipe is the right organic dog food for you. That’s not all! Crafted by Beyond’s very own pet nutritionists, this recipe has added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. All Purina Beyond organic and natural dog foods meet the USDA organic pet foods standards.

Why We Like It – Dog owners claim that this Purina Beyond organic dog food is good for their dogs with sensitive stomachs and dietary issues. It’s excellent all-around dog food, and dogs love it BEYOND expectations. Your pupper’s nutritional needs are easily met with this organic dog food.

Related: Best Puppy Food and Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs

Nutrition Information:

Caloric Content3705 kcal/kg, 439 kcal/cup
Crude Protein26.0% min
Crude Fat16.0% min
Crude Fiber5.0% max
Moisture12.0% max
Calcium1.0% min
Vitamin A14,000 IU/kg min
Vitamin E150 IU/kg min

Pros:

+ USDA-certified organic
+ #1 ingredient is organic free-range chicken
+ Naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
+ High-protein diet to support muscle development
+ Crafted by Beyond’s pet nutritionists
+ No corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-product meal
+ Made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

Cons:

– Not for picky eaters

4. Castor & Pollux Organix Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Canned Organic Dog Food

Castor & Pollux Organix Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Canned Organic Dog Food

Just like the dry food version, the Castor & Pollux Organix Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Canned Organic Dog Food include a nutrient-packed superfood blend of organic flaxseed and blueberries with absolutely no artificial preservatives, added growth hormones, or antibiotics. No traces of chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers can be found either.

100% organic, with free-range chicken as its number 1 ingredient, this dog food is cooked in an organically certified USA kitchen. This wet dog food is a perfect addition to any dry dog food. As a maker of one of America’s number 1 organic pet foods, Organix takes ‘natural’ to a new level by getting certification from USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP).

Why We Liked It – Being organic is one thing, but being all-natural with no additives is another. With many certifications to ensure safety, Castor & Pollux Organix is one of the top organic dog foods and the only one with a complete line of USDA-certified dog food.

Nutrition Information:

Caloric Content1,143 kcal/kg, 411 kcal/12.7 oz can
Crude Protein7.0% min
Crude Fat6.0% min
Crude Fiber1.0% max
Moisture78.0% max

Pros:

+ USDA-certified organic
+ Organic free-range chicken as the first ingredient
+ With nutrient-packed superfood blend
+ No corn, wheat, or soy
+ No artificial preservatives, added growth hormones, or antibiotics
+ No chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers

Cons:

– Contains organic garlic powder which may not be liked by picky dogs

Check Amazon Price

5. Newman’s Own Organics Chicken & Liver Dinner for Dogs Wet Food

Newman’s Own Chicken & Liver Dinner for Dogs Wet Food

Take a holistic approach with Newman’s Own Chicken & Liver Dinner for Dogs Wet Food. Here’s an organic dog food that provides your dog with a nutritious blend of proteins, whole grains, vitamins, and minerals. Your pooch is also getting a single protein source, namely organic chicken. This wet food is made up of 95% organic ingredients without added antibiotics and chemical additives.

Newman’s Own Organics dog food is certified by Oregon Tilth. Also, it has another certification from the USDA providing complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages and sizes. Much like other Paul Newman products, the commitment to use 100% of all profits for charitable purposes still applies. Love your dog and your fellow man by serving Newman’s Own for dinner today.

Why We Like It – With this canned food, you get 95% chicken and liver. For dogs with food allergies, this grain-free option is great! The chunky texture of Newman’s Own satisfies your dog’s tummy and taste buds. Newman’s Own Organics Canned Food has such a delicious taste that even picky eaters can’t help but love it!

Nutrition Information:

Caloric Content1,156 kcal/kg, 416 kcal/can
Crude Protein10.0% min
Crude Fat7.0% min
Crude Fiber1.0% max
Moisture78.0% max

Pros:

+ USDA-certified organic
+ Single source of protein from organic chicken
+ Grain-free formula for all life stages
+ With 70% certified organic vegetables and grains
+ Highly palatable and digestible
+ No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, corn, or wheat

Cons:

– Packaging needs improvement

Check Amazon Price

6. Tender & True Pet Nutrition Small Breed Organic Chicken Recipe Dog Food

Tender & True Pet Nutrition Small Breed Organic Chicken Recipe Dog Food

The best kind of dog food to feed your dog is something that even you would eat! Tender & True Pet Nutrition Small Breed Organic Chicken Recipe Dog Food uses only organic ingredients suitable for pet and human consumption. The first ingredient is a USDA-certified organic chicken humanely raised and without antibiotics to ensure quality and optimal nutrition.

Aside from being USDA-certified organic, this Tender & True recipe is also Animal Welfare-certified. Now that’s plenty impressive! Talk about high-quality dog food made without grains, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients. It has a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, perfect for overall health.

It doesn’t stop there because this organic chicken recipe dog food also contains EPA and DHA, great for your pup’s cognitive development. Tender & True Pet Nutrition Organic Chicken Recipe also includes the essential fatty acids Omega-3 and 6, promoting immune, reproduction, and skin and coat health.

Why We Like It – This is our first time seeing dog food with little to no bad reviews. Based on the reviews from Amazon, fur parents are highly impressed with this organic dog food and claim that their dogs love it even more. Even Dog Food Advisor gave it a rating of 5 stars! I can argue that Tender & True Pet Nutrition has made one of the best organic dog food options in the market today.

Nutrition Information:

Caloric Content3,700 kcal/kg, 380 kcal/cup
Crude Protein28.0% min
Crude Fat16.0% min
Crude Fiber7.0% max
Moisture10.0% max
Omega-6 Fatty Acids3.5% min
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.2% min

Pros:

+ #1 ingredient is organic chicken certified by USDA
+ Blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
+ Certified humanely raised by Global Animal Partnership
+ Formulated without grains, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
+ Perfect bite-sized kibble for small breeds

Cons:

– Includes peas which may not be liked by picky dogs

BONUS BUY: Newman’s Own Organics Snack Bites for Dogs

Newman's Own Organics Snack Bites for Dogs

Looking for an organic and tasty treat to keep your dogs on their paws? Newman’s Own Organics Snack Bites for Dogs is a delicious treat you can give your dog during training or snack time. Let your canine indulge and reward them with these healthy and yummy bars. It’s crafted with organic chicken as the first ingredient and made without grains, gluten, corn, wheat, soy, and GMO ingredients. Best of all, it’s suitable for all dog breeds of all sizes and life stages.

Why We Like It – Your dog will love you even more if you give them these flavorful, soft, and chewy bars they can snack on! It’s healthy, tasty, and a fan-favorite organic treat. Combine these with the best organic dog food, and you can guarantee a healthier and happier lifestyle for your dog. And the best thing about Newman’s Own is not their organic dog foods but the fact that 100% of their profits go to charity.

A Buyer’s Guide on Organic Foods for Dogs

A Buyer’s Guide on Organic Foods for Dogs
Image by Kabo from Unsplash

Poor nutrition caused by a low-quality diet is one of the main causes of chronic conditions in humans and animals. To prolong your pet’s life, start by adjusting their diet. A dog’s diet is not much different from ours. Dogs, like us, have different nutritional needs and require a specific diet to thrive.

Some dogs will benefit from grain-free options if they have highly sensitive stomachs. Others could benefit more from a high-protein diet, low-fat diet, or even raw food diet. Meanwhile, organic dog foods are suitable for dogs who want a cleaner diet free from artificial or chemical preservatives and ingredients.

It really all depends on your dog’s current health and nutritional needs. Although organic dog food costs us more than what we spend on regular dog food, its long-term health benefits make it worthwhile.

What to Look for When Buying Organic Food for Dogs?

what to look for when buying organic food for dogs?
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As a fur parent, buying dog food can get stressful, especially because a big part of our fur baby’s health and development relies on the type of food we’re giving them. Let alone when buying organic foods, we don’t want to get deceived by organic foods that claim to be ‘organic’ but are not really organic.

Here we listed out the important things to remember when buying organic foods for your dog.

Specific Sources of Ingredients

specific sources of ingredients
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Read the labels at the back of the packaging. You should understand and recognize 90% of what’s written. Whichever ingredient comes first makes up the most of the dog food. Ideally, you want to be able to recognize the first five listed.

Organic meat with a specifically named animal source should ALWAYS be the number one ingredient. This is the first thing you should look out for. Anything with just meat, meat meal, or animal by-product listed is a sign of bad dog food.

When it comes to organic dog foods, their ingredient list should specifically declare which ingredients are the organic ones. For example, organic dehydrated chicken, organic chicken liver, organic barley, organic pea flour, organic brown rice, and so on.

No Artificial or Chemical Additives, Preservatives, Colors, or Flavors

Natural Remedies for Anal Gland Troubles
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Of course, if you’re going to buy organic, the ingredients should have not have undergone chemical manipulation and should be free from artificial ingredients. Some dog foods can claim that their product only contains natural ingredients. It’s best to remember that not all-natural ingredients are organic, and it’s possible that these ingredients still went through chemical processing.

If you want certified organic foods, do your research about the organic dog food brand you’re eyeing. Check how their ingredients were sourced. If they’re grown, raised, or cultivated without the use of antibiotics, artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors, and chemical additives, it’s organic.

Healthy Mix of Proteins and Fats

bowl of high-quality protein sources used for earthborn holistic dog foods
Photo by Eiliv-Sonas Aceron on Unsplash

The best organic dog food will contain a good source of protein and fats. Protein is an important part of a canine’s diet. Having a protein source that’s of top quality is a priority. A good blend of protein and fats is needed for your dog’s overall health.

Certification

You should look for any certification from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), and AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control Officials). You should find the seal or stamp of approval clearly on the package.

An organic product is the most natural. If you want to be approved by the USDA, you must meet very strict standards. If you see the seal of approval on any package, rest assured that your dog will be getting the best.

The Label

The importance of premium-grade ingredients is irrefutable. Much to our luck, organic dog food is filled with wholesome, healthy, and safe ingredients from many organic dog food brands with multiple certifications.

When dog food is labeled ‘organic,’ it could mean three different things. If the label reads 100% organic, that is the best you can get. That means everything involved in making this dog food is produced organically. The standard organic label means about 90% of the ingredients are organic.

They will usually list the ingredients that are not organic, so it’s important to read the fine print. The final one is the ‘made with organic ingredients’ label. This means there is a lower content of organic ingredients, at around 70%.

Does My Dog Need Organic Dog Food?

Does My Dog Need Organic Dog Food?
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Anything organic will be less likely to cause health issues or adverse bodily reactions. Organic food is good for your dog’s health overall, but let’s look at some specific areas it will definitely improve.

If grain-free food isn’t doing the trick for your dog’s allergies, try organic food. Most likely, you’ll see a reduction in allergies. Most dog foods contain artificial additives, which are usually some of the most common causes of food allergies. By switching your dog’s food to organic, they can avoid these harmful allergens. Does your sensitive pooch also have digestive orders that other types of dog foods are exacerbating? Try organic food.

Anything free of artificial or synthetic ingredients is easy on our furry best friend’s system and improves their overall immunity. Last but not least, the quality and longevity of your pup’s life will greatly increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the disadvantages of organic dog food?

Although organic pet food does have its advantages, it also has disadvantages that can significantly affect our decision to purchase one.

The number one disadvantage of organic pet foods is crazy expensive. And by crazy expensive, I mean they cost almost ten times more than the traditional dog food. It’s ridiculously expensive that most fur parents are limited to a few purchases. Then they eventually go back to their dog’s regular diet because it’s the more affordable option.

The second is, we only have limited options for organic dog foods. Organic pet foods have only recently entered the pet food market, and very few known pet food brands were able to produce their own organic recipe. Even the flavors and protein sources are limited because of how new, and unfamiliar pet food manufacturers and brands are to organic foods.

Is organic dog food a better option than regular dog food?

Personally, I’d say that, yes, organic dog food is a better option than regular dog food. Mainly because I’m ensured that my pooch is getting healthy, clean, and free from artificial, synthetic, and chemical substances in dog food. Other than that, it’s also higher in quality than regular pet food. However, if on a budget, I will settle for the wiser option, and that’s going back to the traditional canine food that offers a high nutritional value with lesser low-quality ingredients.

Why does organic dog food cost more?

Organic dog foods cost more because the ingredients are produced naturally through organic farming by farmers. This poses a higher cost of production, marketing, and distribution. Additionally, because it’s done naturally, the labor cost is also high considering that many farmers are working to produce these organic ingredients.

Conclusion

Whether or not you’re a big health nut, you might already know how important a role diet has in any living being’s life. Organic food is a good call for those of us with fur babies that already have health issues, or for those of us wanting to prevent them. Consider the great benefits of organic food, and give it a try!

Expert Tip

The healthier the food is, the pricier it could be. And that’s just a reality we need to make peace with. Organic food promotes both interior and exterior health, a natural prevention for any disease.

Did You Know?

It was an American electrician, James Spratt, in the mid-1800s who first made dog food because he saw dogs at the time eating scraps on the street. The first dog food was made up of wheat meals, vegetables, and meat. Look how far we’ve come with these organic choices!

If you’re still concerned about changing your dog onto an organic diet, we always recommend asking a Vet for their expert advice.

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